diesel is smooth and even, but to pull away you
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seem to need an inordinate amount of revs to overcome vibrations. This is almost certainly a downside of direct-injection.
The rev counter confused us. Any trucker worth his salt will keep within the green band to optimise fuel efficiency, but on this van it feels too high. You can quite happily change up towards the start of the green band and if you drive to the top edge it feels like it's overrevving. Further inspection revealed that maximum torque is available between 1,900rpm and 2,300rpm while the green band goes from 2,000rpm to 3,750rpm-that explains it, The new all-round disc brakes are definitelysharper than the previous model's disc/ drum set-up and, although a wet track prevented objective testing, they brought the van to a straight-line halt with minimal lock-up.
• CAB COMFORT The inside of the Transporter is fairly dark and austere but it feels solid and all the dials are well positioned and easy to read. The changes to the previous dash are fairly minimal but we have to welcome the new central air vent as we have been moaning about its absence for some time. The seats are firm and comfy and, combined with acceptable noise levels for a directinjection diesel, this bodes well for all-day driving. Minor gripes with the driving position are that the gear lever seems a bit of a stretch and the accelerator pedal is offset to accommodate the wheel arch.
Stowage space is adequate but nothing special: there's a glove box (this will disappear if you specify passenger air bag); a door pocket with a can holder (we approve) and two small cubby holes either side of the steering column (good for small things).
A final plus point for the cab area is visibility. OK, so we were a bit spoilt with motorised wing mirrors but the wide angle sec
So what can be said about the Transporter that hasn't been said already? Not a great deal to tell the truth, but improvements have been made and VW has turned a class leader into, er, a class leader.
The new TDI unit has bettered the old in terms of straight-line performance, throttle response and, most important, fuel economy. The disc brakes are nice and sharp, the steering's spot on and ride and handling have probably improved (although they were pretty good to start with).
You'll have to spend a bit more on a bulkhead and load mat to complete the package and it's a shame these aren't included as standard, but such niggles aren't serious enough to ruffle our feathers.
As to future contenders, there's the new Transit range (due before 2000), and the compact van from Vauxhall/Renault, also due at the end of the century, should be interesting.
But until then VW pick some fresh laurels and have yourself a well-earned rest.